Facts you may or may not need to know: If Harris County were a state, it would be the nation's 26th most populous. At 1,729 square miles of land area, the county is larger than Rhode Island. If it were a country, Harris County and the surrounding nine counties that make up the Houston region would rank 27th, between Pakistan and Colombia, in gross domestic product, according to the World Bank. The region's GDP is just over $435 billion, according to the Greater Houston Partnership.

Harris County is big and brawny, and the office of county judge is powerful and consequential. While much of the say over budgets, appointments and the like lies with the four county commissioners elected by precinct, the judge is a kind of first among equals on Commissioners Court. The judge is the county's CEO.

We believe Ed Emmett is well-suited to the leadership role of Harris County judge. We encourage county voters to cast their ballots for the Republican incumbent in this fall's election.

We especially like Emmett's big-picture thinking about our county. He says we're positioned to be the gateway to North America, and that isn't a Texas brag. It's true.

With first-rate assets such as the Port of Houston, the city's airport system and our freight-rail and highway networks, this region is positioned to stake that claim and the economic prosperity that comes along with that. But it will not happen without a county government that runs in a businesslike manner, paying attention to crucial matters such as infrastructure.

We like Ed Emmett's deep background in transit/transportation issues, including his familiarity with how things work in this important area, both in Washington, D.C., and in Austin.

Emmett is on target with his observation that changes are needed at the Texas Department of Transportation, which is scheduled for sunset review by the Texas Legislature during the 2011 session. He recognizes the need for an outside audit of the agency, as well as the need to bring TxDot out of the traditional role of highway builder and make it more transit-friendly. Specifically, he identifies the need for Austin to fund the Gulf Coast Rail District and commuter rail here.

Emmett also brings proven strengths in the human relations area. His cordial, effective relationship with Houston Mayor Annise Parker is matched by that with incoming Metro chief executive George Greanias, like Parker and Emmett, a Rice University graduate. These are trying times for the transit agency, and Emmett's support and expertise will be vital to creation of an effective regional mobility structure.

It isn't all blue skies and opportunity at the county, as Emmett well understands. Commissioners and other leaders face challenges in the areas of criminal justice, mental health and public health, to name just three. These are made more difficult by the recent flattening of the county property tax base, the source of much county revenue.

We take at his word Emmett's commitment to force the county to live within its means. Such a commitment is every bit as important to our economic future as effective transportation infrastructure.